Legal threat in jobs row at University of Bolton

13 November 2012

Almost 100 staff at the University of Bolton could lose their jobs in a major shake-up, which would see 15% of the total workforce made redundant.

The university has revealed plans to axe 93 posts, but the trade unions that represent staff at the institution are consulting lawyers over a flawed consultation process, and demanding full financial disclosure.

UCU and UNISON say the university must come clean over how much money was spent on a costly campus opened in the United Arab Emirates and reveal the full pay and benefits enjoyed by senior managers. The unions are also organising a vote of no confidence in the senior management team.

UCU regional official, Martyn Moss, said: 'We believe the university has failed to consult properly with us over the planned redundancies. It ignored our suggestion of using a voluntary redundancy scheme, both to mitigate against compulsory job losses and to alleviate the stress of people having to apply for their own jobs. We are now speaking to our lawyers and staff will vote on whether the senior managers still have their confidence.'

UNISON's North West Lead Organiser for Higher Education, Theresa Griffin, said: 'This is nothing short of a scandal. In addition to the catastrophic effect on staff and their families the losses will have a real and tangible negative effect on the local economy. Just about everybody knows somebody who works at the university and these staff spend in the local community. There will be a knock-on effect throughout Bolton.'